IBM today announced a new line of AS/400e servers powered by production microchips made of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) transistors and copper wiring. The new AS/400e servers support eXtensible Markup Language (XML), allowing customers to extend AS/400 applications to devices like cell phones and handhelds.

esna ltd. launched a new line of Dedicated Domino Servers. Customers can get an introductory range IBM NetFinnity Dedicated Server with 256MB RAM, 9.1Gb SCSI Hard Drive and PII 450MHz Processor (dual capability) for $285.

RedBrigade announced a new partnership with ThinAirApps to deliver complete wireless solutions to its corporate customers. The wireless solutions are centered around the ThinAir Server platform which enables secure access to information from a number of wireless devices in real-time. The platform is also able to access data sources, ranging from open database formats such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to groupware formats such as Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino.

On the flip side of the Microsoft case, Joel Klein from the Department of Justice argues in his own Newsweek article that Microsoft broke the law and a breakup is a fair remedy.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer writes in Newsweek that the DOJ’s proposal to breakup the company is too harsh. Ballmer says that a breakup will set back development of Web TV, the X-Box game console, the Pocket PC, an eBook reader and a tablet PC device for knowledge workers.

Lotus announced that United Airlines unveiled a highly customizable intranet portal site based on Lotus Web and real-time collaborative technologies. Called "mySkyNet," the browser-based United site enables the airline’s workforce to access information essential to achieving the company’s customer satisfaction objectives. The mySkyNet portal, currently being tested by 5,000 United employees, is built entirely using Lotus’ Domino Release 5 (R5) Web application platform and Sametime, the IBM subsidiary’s real-time collaboration and knowledge management software.

There are some organizational changes taking place at Lotus. This article will tell you who’s in charge now in the key product areas, the knowledge management group, the distributed learning group, and messaging/collaboration.

With Microsoft coming out with Exchange 2000, Lotus is trying to position its Domino server as a back-end messaging and collaboration alternative. According to this article, Lotus acknowledges Notes’ defeat at the hands of Microsoft Outlook and are trying to ensure Domino 5.0 will better hook into Microsoft applications by eliminating past integration problems.

Here’s a link to the press release on IBM and Lotus forming an e-learning business unit.

IBM and Lotus Development unveiled a business unit dedicated to distance learning over the Web. Lotus plans to focus on three areas: distance learning, knowledge management, and its core messaging and collaboration software.